Safe.



P. B. WIDMUBLLBR.

SAFE.

APPLICATION FILED No.5, 1910.

1 ,023,605, Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

narran stares ramena* ermee.

PAUL E. WINDMUELLER, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH T0 WILLIAM SEIDEL, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

SAFE.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application led December 5, 1910. Serial No. 595,661.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL E. lVINDMUEIf LER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State o-f Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safes, of which the following is a specification.

The principal object of my invention is to provide against unauthorized entrance t-o a safe by placing therein a receptacle filled with substances emitting volatile noxious gases, which receptacle will be easily broken when a violent entrance is attempted, thereby causing said noxious gases to emanate and deter the intruder from advancing farther.

Other objects of my invention are, to secure said receptacles within the safe in such a lnanner as to withstand breakage under ordinary conditions of use; to position said receptacles in such a manner that entrance by violent means cannot be had without breaking the same; to interpose between the outer door of t-he safe and the body portion thereof an intermediate door, preferably of pliable material, formed to receive therein said receptacles, and provided with secure locking means; to so arrange said receptacles within the safe that when broken the diffusion of the noxious odors will result most readily; and to secure the receptacles within the safe iXedly, and at the same time in such manner that they can be readily removed in case it is desired to test or reiill them.

In the drawings, Figure l is a cross sectio-n through a safe, showing interposed between the outer door and the safe itself a receptacle containing odorous substances; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the casing, within which said receptacle is held; Fig. 3 is a cross section through a casing of larger size, showing the manner in which a plurality of such receptacles would be arranged.

In my invention, a safe 4 is shown provided with an outer door 5 of -usual construction. Located within the safe, adjacent to the door 5, is an inner door 6, swingingly pivoted at 7 and provided with a lock 8. The lock shown in Fig. 2' is designed to be operated with a lever or key, and when said lock is set rods Sa will be extended above and below the door 6 into the casing of the safe. Slots 9 are formed in the front face of said door, providing a grating Ain front of a compartment 10, within which a receptacle il of glass or other suitable material is located, and the rear face of said door is protected by a removable plate 12, having formed therein openings 12a. This receptacle is hermetically sealed when iilled, and is protected within the compartment of the door by means of linings 13, which extend on every side as well as above and below. In Fig. 3, where a plurality of such receptacles is shown, hollow bars 14 or similar partitioning means are used in arranging the receptacles within the door. Obviously a requisite number of such partitioning bars would be employed in arranging the receptacles within the door, the number depending upon the size of the door and the receptacle to be contained therein.

It will be understood that I do not limit the use of my invention to safes entirely, but desire to include any and all kinds of burglar-proof receptacles.

When entrance to a safe is attempted by violence, it is generally with the use of dynamiteA or other blasting means. After the door is demolished, or so mutilated that it may be opened, nothing further remains to retard the progress of the intruder. It is extremely improbable, however, that the force of the explosion would wreck the inner door. Inasmuch as pliable material would preferably be used in its construction, and as it is secured within the safe by very substantial means, the blast would only bend or indent the door. Furthermore, as the front and rear faces of said door are both formed with openings, and the only obstruction between said walls is the breakable receptacle, the force of the explosion will vent itself straight through said door to a considerable extent, scattering and diffusing the noxious substance most thoroughly. Should the intruder attempt to operate against the powerful fumes and proceed farther, the inner door would still confront him. It is therefore apparent that the inner door so constructed would in itself, as well as in conjunction with the contents of the receptacle contained therein, offer resistance of the most effective kind.

The character of the substance that should be retained within the receptacle is of course a matter of choice. Such substances as ammonia, bromin, or hydrocyanic acid, may be used for this purpose, but obviously other asserting themselves.

well known chemicals might answer as well. The fumes arising from the substances would be sufficiently overpowering and dangerous to eifectually prevent further entrance to the safe.

It is highly desirable that there be no likelihood of the receptacle breaking during the ordinary use of the safe. To that end I have provided a lining or packing which surrounds the receptacle, protecting it against any jars which would tend to break it. The front and rear faces of the inner door are provided with a series of slots which permit of the diffusion readily of the noxious odors when the receptacle is broken. This is important, as such action must result quickly, otherwise the powerful effects of the noxious substance would be slow in The rear plate of the inner door is secured thereto in a removable manner. When said door is to receive the receptacle, the plate may be taken off to permit its insertion, or when it is desired to remove or replace said receptacle, the plate may be removed. Under ordinary circumstances, this plate will always remain secured tightly in place, and because of its location on the inner side of the door it will be impossible to remove it by tampering, which would then permit of withdrawal of the receptacles. The inner door is further provided with a lock adapted to aord further obstruction to the intruder, in case the lock of theouter door has been successfully operated. I'Iaving opened the outside door, the operator would likely examine and test the inner door by means of a drill or other tool. Very little tampering would result in the receptacle being broken, and the noxious fumes being released, which would necessitate his desistance.

I claim:

1. In a safe, an inner door formed of pliable material, a compartment within said door, openings through the front and rear walls of said door into said compartment, and a sealed receptacle containing a noxious substance retained within said compartment, said receptacle being formed of a material adapted to break when the safe is opened by force whereby the noxioussubstance 4is releasec, substantially as described.

2. Ina safe, a door provided with a compartment therein and with a grating upon the inner side in area to said side, a fragile receptacle within said compartment having two of its dimensions substantially equal to said grating, and a poisonous agent within said receptacle adapted when liberated to emanate through the said grating into the safe, substantially as described.

PAUL E. VINDMUELLER.

Witnesses EPHRAIM BANNING, THOMAS A. BANNING, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

thereof substantially equal, 

